NickW
Guest
Over the last year I've heard JT say never runs with a heart rate monitor and just runs at what feels right. I've been doing the opposite, listening to everyone else and trying to do maf or some other training the whole time. Well, I've had an injury that has been bothering me for months and I had to take 3 weeks off, again. This time, last week when I started running/walking I stopped taking the hrm with me. I'm not going far enough and these are all known distances for me so I'm just running by feel. It's amazing how distracting that hrm was for me. I did not realize how much I watched and looked at the thing until I have been without. I feel it's much easier to pay attention to my form without it.
I've also come to the realization that I may never be the runner and athlete I once was. This is very difficult for me to admit to myself, but my two back surgeries and the 40 pounds I had put on because of the back problems almost assures me I won't ever get there again. I've been pushing myself pretty hard for the last year, and probably is the reason for the several injuries I've had. I had a goal of doing a half this year and a full next year. I think that's too ambitious. While I could probably do the half, I would be pushing myself too hard. I'm almost positive I will never be as fast as I used to be. Heck even at my fastest now I am not at my slow comfortable runs of back then. I think I am ok with just being healthy. I may get the distance back eventually, but I am going to do this at my pace and not some unrealistic goal that I have. Anyways, I wanted to thank JT for reminding me of this because JT always tells us how he just does what feels right too him. I like simple and maybe JT is right for those of us like me who will never be an elite runner. Go out and enjoy it and don't make it a goal where you have to do this or have to do that. Just enjoy the run and listen to your body.
I've also come to the realization that I may never be the runner and athlete I once was. This is very difficult for me to admit to myself, but my two back surgeries and the 40 pounds I had put on because of the back problems almost assures me I won't ever get there again. I've been pushing myself pretty hard for the last year, and probably is the reason for the several injuries I've had. I had a goal of doing a half this year and a full next year. I think that's too ambitious. While I could probably do the half, I would be pushing myself too hard. I'm almost positive I will never be as fast as I used to be. Heck even at my fastest now I am not at my slow comfortable runs of back then. I think I am ok with just being healthy. I may get the distance back eventually, but I am going to do this at my pace and not some unrealistic goal that I have. Anyways, I wanted to thank JT for reminding me of this because JT always tells us how he just does what feels right too him. I like simple and maybe JT is right for those of us like me who will never be an elite runner. Go out and enjoy it and don't make it a goal where you have to do this or have to do that. Just enjoy the run and listen to your body.